First Gent. Thou art always figuring diseases in me; but thou art full of error; I am sound. Lucio. Nay, not as one would say, healthy; but so sound as things that are hollow: thy bones are hollow; impiety has made a feast of thee. Enter Mistress Overdone. First Gent. How now! which of your hips has the most profound sciatica ? Mrs Ov. Well, well; there's one yonder arrested 60 and carried to prison was worth five thousand of you all. Sec. Gent. Who's that, I pray thee? Mrs Ov. Marry, sir, that's Claudio, Signior Claudio. Mrs Ov. Nay, but I know 'tis so: I saw him arrested; Madam Julietta with child. Lucio. Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me two hours since, and he was ever precise in promise-keeping. Sec. Gent. Besides, you know, it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose. First Gent. But, most of all, agreeing with the pro clamation. Lucio. Away! let's go learn the truth of it. 70 80 [Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen. Mrs Ov. Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the gallows, and what with Enter Pompey. How now! what's the news with you? Pom. Yonder man is carried to prison. Mrs Ov. Well; what has he done? Pom. A woman. Mrs Ov. But what's his offence? Pom. Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. Mrs Ov. What, is there a maid with child by him? Mrs Ov. What proclamation, man? Pom. All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be plucked down. Mrs Ov. And what shall become of those in the city? Pom. They shall stand for seed: they had gone down too, but that a wise burgher put in for them. Mrs Ov. But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down? Pom. To the ground, mistress. Mrs Ov. Why, here's a change indeed in the commonwealth! What shall become of me? Pom. Come; fear not you: good counsellors lack no clients though you change your place, you need not change your trade; I'll be your tapster still. Courage there will be pity taken on you: you that have worn your eyes almost out in the service, you will be considered. 90 1ΟΟ Mrs Ov. What's to do here, Thomas tapster? let's IIO withdraw. Pom. Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison; and there's Madam Juliet. Enter Provost, Claudio, Juliet and Officers. [Exeunt. Claud. Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to the world? Bear me to prison, where I am committed. Prov. I do it not in evil disposition, But from Lord Angelo by special charge. Claud. Thus can the demigod Authority Make us pay down for our offence by weight The words of heaven ;-on whom it will, it will; 120 Re-enter Lucio and two Gentlemen. Lucio. Why, how now, Claudio! whence comes this restraint? Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: Claud. What but to speak of would offend again. Claud. No. Lucio. Lechery? Claud. Call it so. Prov. Away, sir! you must go. Claud. One word, good friend. 140 Lucio, a word with you. Lucio. A hundred, if they 'll do you any good. Is lechery so look'd after? Claud. Thus stands it with me: upon a true contract I got possession of Julietta's bed: You know the lady; she is fast my wife, Of outward order: this we came not to, Remaining in the coffer of her friends; From whom we thought it meet to hide our love Claud. Unhappily, even so. A horse whereon the governor doth ride, Who, newly in the seat, that it may know He can command, lets it straight feel the spur; Or in his eminence that fills it up, I stagger in :—but this new governor 150 160 Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall So long, that nineteen zodiacs have gone round, Now puts the drowsy and neglected act Freshly on me: 'tis surely for a name. 170 Lucio. I warrant it is: and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milkmaid, if she be in Claud. I have done so, but he's not to be found. Acquaint her with the danger of my state; Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends 180 I have great hope in that; for in her youth Such as move men; besides, she hath prosperous art Lucio. I pray she may; as well for the encourage- Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio. Lucio. Within two hours. Claud. Come, officer, away! [Exeunt. Scene III. A monastery. Enter Duke and Friar Thomas. Duke. No, holy father; throw away that thought; Believe not that the dribbling dart of love |